Choke collar



M. SULLIVAN May 1, 1956 CHOKE COLLAR Filed April 6, 1955 W Wu Mb V U m5 e a ,m M

United States Patent CHOKE COLLAR Michael Sullivan, Youngstown, Ohio Application April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,633

9 Claims. or. 119-106) This invention relates to a choke collar for use on dogs, cattle, sheep and other domestic animals, employing a chain or other flexible element that is employed for use about the animals neck.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a choke collar that does not require in its application the passing of the collar over the head of the animal.

Another object is the provision of a choke collar, the length of which is about the size of the animals neck. In fact, the neck of the animal, such as a dog, may be measured in order to supply the choke colllar of the right size to fit the dogs neck for which it is intended.

A further object is to provide a choke collar having locking means therefor for preventing unintentional disengagement of the one ring from the chain when the flexible neck encircling element is in slack position.

An additional object is to provide a choke collar having a locking element that is constructed to eliminate all strain on the locking element during employment of the collar as a choke about the neck of an animal.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of the chok collar;

Figure 2 is a detail view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a second form of the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the Figure 3 form with a part removed, and showing the manner of applying or removing the choke collar with the lock member removed;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a third form of choke collar; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, a chain or other flexible element, hereinafter referred to as chain is indicated by the numeral 10. The end 12 of the chain is permanently connected to the closed ring 14, the latter having its ends welded at 16. A snap hook 18 connected to a lead 20 may be attached to the ring as shown in Figure 1. The snap hook is provided with the usual swivel 22.

Mounted on the chain by screws or rivets, as shown, is an identification tag 24, which may be constructed in accordance with the invention shown and described in in it comprises a straight intermediate portion extending across the legs of the U-shaped portion. The straight portion is provided with an eye 36 which is connected to the upper of these legs, and there is a second eye 38 that may be clenched about the lower leg as seen in these figures, when end 28 has been slid from the circular part of the ring to its U-shaped portion, as shown in the drawings.

It will be understood that the relative outside diameter of ring 14 and the inside diameter of ring 26 are such that ring 14 can pass through ring 26 only prior to the time when eye 38 is clenched about the lower leg of the U-shaped portion to close the same. As the eye 36 is preferably permanently attached to the U-shaped portion, the loop of this portion is open until such time as it is desired to prevent the ring 14 passing through ring 26. At this time the eye 38 is clenched over the lower leg of the U-shaped member. The lock member may be composed of a thin bendable metal, including steel or copper, or a suitable metal alloy.

The U-shaped or notched portion, such as shown at 30 in Figure 1, may be made on either ring 14 or 26, and the said U-shaped portion may be such that it extends outwardly from the ring or it may extend inwardly within the inner circumference of its ring, but the relative sizes of the rings must be such, in any of these constructions, that one ring may pass through the other ring only when the U-shaped portion of one ring is open, such as is shown in Figure 4. Identification tag 24 will readily pass through either ring 14 or 26.

Referrring to the second form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein, for illustrative purposes, the top ring is provided with the U-shaped portion which portion extends inwardly of the ring, the chain or flexible member is shown at 10. The upper end of the chain is connected at 12' to the ring 14 whose ends are welded at 16'. A snap hook 18' is connected to a lead 20 by a swivel 22', and the chain has an identification tag 24 fastened thereto by bolts or rivets.

The second closed ring 26' is slightly larger than ring 14, and to it is attached at 28 the other end of the chain.

In the construction shown, the upper, smaller ring is provided with an inwardly extending U-shaped portion. As will be seen by referring to Figure 4, ring 14' can only pass through ring 26 when the loop of the U-shaped my Patent No. 2,648,150, granted August 11, 1953, al-

though other identification means may be substituted therefor.

The chain passes through a second closed ring 26. The ring 26 is provided with a U-shaped portion 30 to which the opposite end 23 of the chain is fastened. To pass ring 14, end 28 must be slid on ring 26 out of the U-shaped portion 30. The open ends of ring 26 are welded solidly and permanently by the weld 32.

In order to close the loop of the U-shaped portion 30, I provide a lock member 34. One form that such lock member may take is that shown in Figures 1 and 2, whereor 34 has not been applied at this time.

portion is open as shown in this figure. The U-shaped portion may be closed by the lock member 34, the central portion of which, when the member 34 is in place as shown in Figure 3, extends across the open part there of. The eyes 36' and 38' of the member 34' are bent to encircle circumferential portions of the ring. This member 34 is slightly dilferent than its corresponding part 34 shown in Figures 1 and 2, in that the eyes extend substantially at right angles to the central part that closes the loop of the part 30, but are otherwise the same, and the parts of both Figures 1 and 3 perform the same function.

The two forms shown in Figures 1 to 4 allow for both chains to be of the same size as the animals neck, and do not require the threading of a looped chain over the head of the animal.

The chain in either form is Wrapped or placed around the animals neck in the same manner that a horse collar is placed around the neck of a horse. Lock member 34 Ring 14 is then threaded through ring 26 in the Figure 1 construction, or ring 14 is threaded through ring 26 in the Figure 3 construction, as shown in Figure 4. Lock member 34 or 34 is then applied to the U-shaped portion 30 or 30', respectively.

With the parts in this position and with the chain of each figure encircling the neck of the animal, it may be led around by grasping the lead 20 or 20'. The chains 10 or 10' should preferably be of such length as to be of only slightly larger circumference than the circumference of the animals neck so as to form a snug fit with the rings engaging each other.

The lock member 34 or 34 prevents the smaller ring from assuming its original position by sliding through the larger ring. Thus the chain, even when the lead is released and slack is allowed in the chain, cannot be pulled over the animals head as the loop of chain is too small to pass over its head.

It will be noted in both forms that, with the lead pulled to choke position, the chain imposes no strain on the lock member.

Referring to the third form of the invention shown in Figures and 6, the chain 40 is provided with ends 42 and 44 that are attached to the ring means 46, the latter comprising a pair of split rings 48 and 50, with split ring 48 partially surrounding and being rotatable within split ring 50. Ring 48 is provided with an opening 52 and ring 50 has an opening 54.

When one of the rings is partially rotated relative to the other ring until openings 52 and 54 are in alignment, the end or ends of the chain may be inserted, or if previously inserted within said rings, may be withdrawn therefrom. The snap hook of a lead, such as shown in Figure 1, may be snapped over the rings. As shown in Figure 5, a snap hook 60 is connected to a lead 64 by the usual swivel 62. It will be understood that the length of the chain in the third form also is such that it forms alsnug fit with the neck of the animal to which it is appied.

It will be understood that I desire to be limited only to the extent set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the word chain includes any flexible element such as a rope. Other means for closing the U-shaped portion shown in Figures 1 to 4 may be used. Either ring of these figures may be provided With the U-shaped portion, and the rings may be round, square-sided, or oval if they perform their function in the combination, i. e., one cannot pass through the other unless the locking means has been opened.

I claim:

1. A choke collar for animals comprising a chain having ends, ring means comprising ring members adapted to be engaged by said chain ends to form a loop in one position of said ring members and chain, and lead means for engaging said ring means, at least one of said ring members having manually operated means permitting movement of one end of said chain through one of the ring members to free said one end of said chain from one of said ring members to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of an animal.

2. A choke collar for animals comprising a chain having ends, ring means adapted to be engaged by said chain ends, and lead means for engaging said ring means, said ring means comprising a plurality of rings to form a closed loop in one position of said chain and rings, one of said rings having a U-shaped portion including an open loop, whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of'said animal, and means preventing said one ring from passing through said other ring comprising a locking member extending across the loop of said U-shaped member.

3. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings to form a closed loop in one position of said chain and rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of said animal, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings.

4. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings to form a closed loop in one position of said chain and rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of said animal, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings, said means for closing said recess comprising a locking member having eyes at its opposite ends, said eyes extending around said ring adjacent the recess thereof.

5. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings to form a closed loop in one position of said chain and rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of said animal, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings, said recess com prising a U-shaped portion extending outwardly of the ring of whichit forms a part.

6. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings, said means for closing said recess comprising a locking member having eyes at its opposite ends, said eyes extending around said ring adjacent the recess thereof, said recess comprising a U- shaped portion extending outwardly of the ring of which it forms apart.

7. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings to form a closed loop in one position of said chain and rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring to thereby break the chain loop and permit disengagement of said choke collar from the neck of said animal, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings, said recess comprising a U-shaped portion extending inwardly of the ring of which it forms a part.

8. A choke chain for animals comprising a closed ring, a second closed ring of larger size than said first ring, a chain having its respective ends connected to said rings, one of said rings having a notch forming a recess Whereby one of said rings may pass through the other ring, and means for closing said recess to thereby prevent passage of one of said rings through said other ring, and a lead attached to one of said rings, said means for closing said recess comprising a locking member having eyes at its opposite ends, said eyes extending around said ring adjacent the recess thereof, said recess comprising a U- shaped portion extending inwardly of the ring of which it forms a part.

9. A choke collar for animals comprising a chain having ends, ring means adapted to be engaged by said chain ends, and lead means for engaging said ring means, said chain means comprising a pair of concentric rings, means connecting said rings for relative rotation thereof, and said rings each having an opening whereby when said 5 openings are in alignment said chain and said lead means FOREIGN PATENTS may be engaged or disengaged from said rings. 36,448 Sweden July 16 1913 References Cited in the file of this patent 415435 Italy 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 1,729,739 Elsey Oct. 1, 1929 2,042,808 Seebeck June 2, 1936 2,616,394 Elsinger Nov. 4, 1952 

